Thursday, August 05, 2004

Light Rail News, 5 Aug 2004

Metro OKs funding for next light-rail project (Hillsboro Argus, Oregon) - Metro has approved a "local funding plan" for the Portland area's next light-rail project. It would run along the Interstate 205 freeway in Multnomah and Clackamas counties and through the transit mall in downtown Portland to Portland State University.

Light rail workers unveiling offbeat kiosks (East Valley Tribune, Arizona) - Light rail officials started one of their most visible information efforts Wednesday by unveiling offbeat kiosks to grab public attention. The kiosks come months before construction begins on the 20-mile Valley Metro Rail line. The only symbols of the $1.3 billion system so far are signs along the route in west Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix.

Monday, August 02, 2004

Monorail News, 2 Aug 2004

Landlords emerge as foes to monorail (The Seattle Times) - With a possible vote to kill the monorail project looming in November, Seattle's major commercial-property owners have emerged as the most vocal and powerful critics of the $1.75 billion elevated transit system. It's a dramatic change from 2002, when landlords split over the successful monorail ballot measure, which narrowly was approved by city voters.

Monorail hub still homeless (The Seattle Times) - When Seattle voters approved a new monorail in 2002, a mid-downtown stop at Second Avenue and Madison Street was meant to be one of the busiest hubs on the line. Nearly two years later, the Seattle Monorail Project still hasn't yet acquired property for the station from the federal government.

Houston Light Rail Smackdown, Part 52

Two hurt in light rail accident (KHOU-TV Houston) - The driver of a van and his passenger were taken to the hospital after pulling into the path of a Metro light rail train.

Sunday, August 01, 2004

Monorail News, 1 Aug 2004

Plans discussed for high tech monorail system in Michigan (WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids) - The plan calls for sleek, futuristic rail cars zipping people, vehicles and even cargo from Grand Rapids to Chicago in about a half hour. The hydrogen powered rail system, with the ability to reach speeds of 300 mile per hour, would built along existing freeways.

Puget Sound-Off: Should Seattle vote again on the monorail
? (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) - Do you think the initiative, pushed by opponents of the line, is a necessary vote on a troubled project, or just another example of Seattle's inability to stick with a transit project? The Seattle Post-Intelligencer posed that question to readers earlier this week.

Light Rail News, 1 Aug 2004

Some motorists OK with light rail (Minneapolis StarTribune) - A red light that lasted six minutes and other traffic signals that don't seem to respond when they should did little on Wednesday to chill the support some drivers have for light rail. Call it a Minnesotan's willingness to endure. It's a far cry from the first weeks after the Hiawatha light-rail opening, when drivers complained long and loud about traffic delays. A few continue to rail against what they say are unjustifiable holdups.

Light rail sparks development, pedestrian lifestyle (KHOU-TV Houston) - Metro had predicted that over time, rail wouldn't just move people efficiently, it would act like a big, long magic wand on wheels, transforming blighted areas with new development like apartments, town homes and offices.

Light-rail property budget on mark (Charlotte Observer) - Charlotte has bought most of the property it needs for its light-rail line and may come in below its $39 million budget.

Folsom light-rail extension may be delayed (Sacramento Bee) - A Sacramento Regional Transit light-rail extension to Folsom could be delayed two to three months, officials said. Regional Transit still anticipates opening the extension next spring, but delays in awarding construction contracts could push back the project's expected completion date, said Dave Conover, project director.